Match Report

Match Report written by Scott Gallacher

 

Stenhousemuir secured a valuable Premier Sports Cup bonus point after defeating Partick Thistle 5-3 on penalties following an entertaining 2-2 draw at Firhill in the Premier Sports Cup.

Euan O’Reilly opened the scoring from the penalty spot before Callum Penman doubled Stenhousemuir’s lead. However, goals from Oisin Smith and Tony Watt forced the game to penalties, with Stenhousemuir winning the shootout.

Marvin Bartley made one change to the side that started against Brechin City, with Euan O’Reilly replacing Finn Robson. New signing Lewis O’Donnell was included among the substitutes, while captain Ross Meechan made his 300th competitive appearance for the Warriors.

Stenhousemuir started strongly, with Dale Carrick coming close to an early opener when his effort travelled narrowly wide of the right-hand post.

Scott Bright was then required to make an important block at the other end, diverting a Partick Thistle attack behind for a corner.

The Warriors were awarded a penalty in the fifth minute after Meechan’s cross struck the arm of a Thistle defender inside the box.

O’Reilly stepped forward and made no mistake, coolly placing his penalty into the left side of the net beyond Liam McFarlane to give Stenhousemuir an early lead.

The midfielder threatened again shortly afterwards, driving down the left before sending a low effort narrowly wide of the right-hand post.

Partick responded as Matthew Falconer delivered an inviting ball across the Stenhousemuir penalty area, but none of his teammates could apply the finishing touch.

Sebastian Drozd then registered the hosts’ first effort on target, although Darren Jamieson got down well to smother the shot.

Stenhousemuir doubled their advantage in the 23rd minute following a scintillating counter-attack. The two St Mirren loanees combined as Lewis Hodgkiss worked the ball out wide to Callum Penman, who maintained his composure to slot a fine finish beyond McFarlane.

Jamieson was soon called into action again, producing an excellent save to deny Euan Henderson.

Partick reduced the deficit in the 33rd minute through Oisin Smith with a scramble in the box from a corner, bringing the hosts back into the contest.

O’Reilly attempted to restore Stenhousemuir’s two-goal advantage, but his effort was blocked by the Partick defence.

Smith then came agonisingly close to equalising, only for Jamieson to produce an outstanding stop and preserve the Warriors’ lead.

Meechan marked his milestone appearance with a vital goal-line clearance before Falconer dragged an effort wide as the first half drew to a close.

Half-Time: Partick Thistle 1-2 Stenhousemuir

The second half began at a slower pace, with the first significant action arriving in the 68th minute. Partick substitute Gary Mackay-Steven was denied twice in quick succession by Jamieson as the goalkeeper continued his superb performance.

Jamieson then dealt confidently with a headed effort from a Thistle corner before producing another important save to prevent Robbie Crawford’s header from finding the net.

The goalkeeper was called upon again just one minute later, this time denying Falconer as Partick continued to apply pressure.

That sustained spell eventually paid off when Tony Watt found the equaliser, striking from close range, bringing the hosts level at 2-2.

Crawford was presented with a point-blank opportunity two minutes from time, but Stenhousemuir survived to take the contest to a penalty shootout for the bonus point.

Full-Time: Partick Thistle 2-2 Stenhousemuir

Gregor Buchanan stepped forward first for the Warriors and confidently converted the opening penalty before Smith replied for Partick.

Meechan then scored Stenhousemuir’s second penalty, after which Jamieson continued his excellent evening by saving Aidan Fitzpatrick’s effort.

Matthew Gillies converted to strengthen the Warriors’ advantage before Watt found the bottom corner for the hosts.

Matty Aitken calmly dispatched Stenhousemuir’s fourth penalty, with Mackay-Steven responding to keep Partick’s hopes alive.

That left O’Donnell with the opportunity to win the shootout on his first appearance for the club. The midfielder showed no signs of pressure, firing his penalty into the top-right corner to secure a 5-3 shootout victory and the bonus point for the Warriors.

Full-Time After Penalties: Partick Thistle 2 (3) – (5) 2 Stenhousemuir

 

Match Preview

Match Preview written by Scott Gallacher

 

Stenhousemuir travel to Firhill on Tuesday evening to face Partick Thistle in their third Premier Sports Cup Group E fixture.

The Warriors head into the match with six points from their opening two matches, while Thistle currently lead the group with eight points, having played one game more.

Marvin Bartley’s side continued their winning start to the competition with a 2-1 victory over Brechin City at Glebe Park on Saturday.

Mikey Anderson opened the scoring in spectacular fashion after nine minutes, firing an outstanding strike into the top-right corner of the net.

Brechin drew level through Dale Hilson in the 43rd minute, but the Warriors responded almost immediately as Dale Carrick restored the lead on the stroke of half-time with a superb effort which was almost a carbon copy of Anderson’s opener.

That proved to be the decisive goal as Stenhousemuir secured all three points, following on from their 2-0 victory over Forfar Athletic in their opening group match.

Partick Thistle come into Tuesday’s fixture following a 1-1 draw with Livingston at the Home of the Set Fare Arena.

Robbie Muirhead gave Livingston the lead before Alex Samuel equalised for the Jags in the 80th minute. The match subsequently went to a penalty shootout for the bonus point, with Partick prevailing 3-2.

The sides last met at Ochilview Park on 9 July 2022, also in the League Cup group stage.

Kyle Turner opened the scoring for Partick Thistle in the 54th minute before Matty Yates brought Stenhousemuir level. Brian Graham found the net with 15 minutes remaining to secure a 2-1 victory for the Jags.

Tuesday’s match presents the Warriors with an opportunity to move ahead of Partick at the top of Group E, with Stenhousemuir currently sitting two points behind the Glasgow side with a game in hand.